VGM, Vendor Partners Collaborate to Give the Gift of Mobility

VGM collaborated with Variety – the Children’s Charity; Rifton; International Biophysics Corp, manufacturers of AffloVest; and EZ-ACCESS to donate special gifts to five families residing near VGM’s corporate headquarters in Waterloo, Iowa.

The donations, which include four adaptive tricycles, a high-frequency chest wall oscillation (HFCWO) therapy vest, and modular ramp system will be presented during a special presentation during VGM’s annual Heartland Conference. Janae Lee and the Ingersoll family of Waterloo will receive the modular ramp; and Diane Loftus of Dike, Iowa, is the recipient of the HFCWO therapy vest.

“We’re always excited to orchestrate these impactful moments between our membership community and the community VGM calls home,” said Scott Owen, senior vice president of contracting for VGM. “Every recipient will sincerely have a better life thanks to our friends at Rifton, AffloVest, EZ-ACCESS and Variety. Helping those in need live more independently is precisely what VGM, our partners and all industry stakeholders strive to achieve on a daily basis.”

Variety – the Children’s Charity of Iowa administered the vetting process to select the recipients of the adaptive tricycles. The children, ranging in ages from 5 to 11, have varying special needs that prevent them from living independently.

"Providing a therapeutic product that enhances a child’s independence is at the core of our company values," said Joe Keiderling, executive vice president for Rifton Equipment. "These adaptive tricycles will allow the kids to enjoy the freedom that the outdoors provides as they play with friends and family this summer.”

This is the fourth consecutive year that VGM has collaborated with their partners to donate mobility equipment as part of VGM’s Heartland Conference. For International Biophysics Corp, 2019 marks the first time participating in the giveaway.

This is such a blessing and I can’t thank VGM, AffloVest and everyone associated with this act of generosity enough. I have 12 grandchildren with number 13 on the way. I’m so anxious to begin using my vest so I can reach my goal to get off oxygen and become more active, independent and, more importantly, play and care for my lovely grandkids. – Diane Loftus

“We’re always proud to align ourselves with companies like VGM who share our commitment to supporting the communities and customers we serve,” said Bobby Lankford, director of sales for International Biophysics Corp. “It’s an honor for us to provide an Afflovest to help improve mobility and the quality of life Diane deserves to experience.”

Vendor-partner EZ-ACCESS’ donated modular ramp was gifted to the Ingersoll family. The Washington-state based company has donated ramps in each of the past four years. The ramp will be installed following Heartland Conference.

“We’ve been part of the VGM community for years and are proud to once again donate the Pathway 3G ramp to help the Ingersoll family have safer access to their home,” said Scott Crosswhite, national vice president of sales for EZ-ACCESS. “We hope that the new ramp will provide them, in particular Janae Lee, with new opportunities to live life to the fullest.”

The products donated by VGM and its vendor partners are valued at approximately $30,000.